View Full Version : - - - Wiper Blade Replacement - - -


Goldmember
03-17-2005, 05:02 AM
Welcome to today's class on Audi A6 Wiper Blade Replacement. Tomorrow's lesson will be on why we should kick ourselves in the (insert body orifice here) for purchasing an Audi. Opps my bad, thats already been covered.

You will need some items to successfully complete this lesson.

Item 1 - Flat Head Screw Driver

Item 2 - Needle Nose Pliers

Item 3 - Ball Pin Hammer

Item 4 - C5 or C6 Audi


Actually you probably won't need the hammer, as I just had it handy incase the neighbor asked why I was up at 6:30am playing with my car. Yes, he drives a BMW.


Ok so onto the lesson. The first thing you want to do is get the wipers into service mode. On the C6 this can be done through the MMI by pressing the Car button and scrolling to the last item. C5 Owners, you know the drill, turn on the wipers and cut the car before they retreat under the hood.

After you pull the wiper up away from the windshield you will notice a tab that you can press, well go on and press it.

<img src="http://www.mindcreek.com/topsecret/1.JPG" />


As you do that pull up and away on the wiper blade to remove it from the wiper arm.



<img src="http://www.mindcreek.com/topsecret/1-5.JPG" />

This is what the arm looks like.

<img src="http://www.mindcreek.com/topsecret/2.JPG" />

On each end of the wiper blade there is a plastic cover. Using a flat head screwdriver pry the cover off. This can best be done on the underside of the blade. This can best be done from the underside of the blade where the end of the cover and the end of the blade meet. There you will find a small space that the screwdriver fits in.

Do this for both sides. On one side you will notice a metal prong is embedded into the wiper blade, gently and carefully pry this up. And I really do mean gently, this prong is easily broken.


<img src="http://www.mindcreek.com/topsecret/3.JPG" />

Once that is done you will be able to slide the wiper blade out.
<img src="http://www.mindcreek.com/topsecret/4.JPG" />

This is an out of focus shot of the profile of the end of the wiper blade. You can find this blade at The Big Super Store or at most auto parts stores. I say most because none of the 3 Autozones I checked in town carried a replacement blade that was long enough. You will need the 26" replacement blade.

Once you have the replacement blade, slide it back into the wiper. To prevent wiper chatter, make sure the blade is not stretched when it is put back into the wiper. It should slide in easily. Once that is done, using needle nose pliers gently push the prong back down to hold the blade in place.

Assemble the wiper back onto the arm in the reverse of its removal and you are done. At this point you should immediately go and get the significant other, for me it was my wife, and show her the great job you have just done. More than likely she will be extremely under whelmed and will most likely just roll her eyes at you. Don't let this get you down, you have another wiper to replace. Scroll back to the top of this post as the other wiper works in the same way.

jefman
03-17-2005, 05:42 AM
When I had previously attempted to remove the blade I stopped because I was afraid to pry off the cover.

BTW when you shoot pics; focus on object, depress shutter half way, then you can frame the shot:)


Thanks again

Goldmember
03-17-2005, 05:44 AM

jefman
03-17-2005, 05:48 AM
sounds like I'm OCD'd.

moveout
03-17-2005, 07:20 AM

coupeboy
03-17-2005, 08:34 AM
Is the only requirement that it be 26" in length? I wonder if all blades will fit the required profile and slide into the Audi blade holder. I ask because I want to use PIAA silicone blades. Thanks!

Goldmember
03-17-2005, 08:39 AM
There are a few different profile designs. Length is not the only requirement. If the PIAA's are offered as a blade only replacement then there is a good chance they will work. When replacing the blades for the T'reg the blades I wanted were not offered in the correct profile. I tried to force them and discovered that it produced alot of chatter on the windshield.

moveout
03-17-2005, 08:53 AM
Has anyone complained to their dealer? Maybe Audi has a solution.

Goldmember
03-17-2005, 10:47 AM
Thanks a lot moveout for ruining our little party here in this post. We just wanted to replace the wiper blades in hopes that the performance increases would justify the exorbitant prices we paid for these BMW wannabes.

I know I saw an almost 15hp increase, and at least .2 seconds knocked of the 0-60 time after I upgraded my wipers.

Ok seriously, while they are covered, the wipers that you can get for a few bucks are IMHO much better than what Audi is using.

moveout
03-17-2005, 10:52 AM
But if enough people complain maybe Audi will stop using lame OEM wiper blades.

Of course, that's of no use NOW, when the rain is making driving Dangerous.

Goldmember
03-17-2005, 11:16 AM

jefman
03-17-2005, 12:15 PM
Lexor type "E" 11"-28". Slide them in and cut off the excess.

BTW, be careful prying off the end caps. Putting them back on is easy, all you need to do is slide them and they click back into place.

Moveout, my advise to you, is to use plain ol' rubbers:)

moveout
03-17-2005, 12:44 PM
Actually I've already bookmarked this particular post since I'm sure I'll be needing it fairly soon.

Not soon enough actually.

TheYoshi
12-11-2005, 12:18 PM
The stock ones are truly horrible with the snow/salt combo in most of PA right now, almost like they don't make smooth contact with the whole window.